F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with CT in critically ill patients with suspected infection

• DOI: 10.1007/s00134-009-1697-8
• Publication Date: 2009-10-21T13:03:37Z
• Authors: Koen S. Simons; Peter Pickkers; Chantal P. Bleeke...; Wim J. G. Oyen; Johannes G. van d...
• Keywords: Fluorodeoxyglucose

To assess the value of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) combined with CT in critically ill patients suspected having an infection.FDG-PET scans requested for evaluation a infection or inflammatory process ill, mechanically ventilated were analyzed (blinded final clinical diagnosis) and compared follow-up.Thirty-five FDG-PET/CT performed 33 ICU (28 adults 5 children), median age 58 years (range 1 month-72 years), analyzed. Twenty-one true positive. Three considered false positive, one case leading to additional diagnostic procedures (specificity 79%). Additionally, 11 negatives found (sensitivity 100%), overall accuracy 91%.FDG-PET/CT scanning is whom conventional diagnostics did not lead diagnosis. Apart from high accuracy, this study it appeared that, addition techniques that routinely performed, normal ruled out important infections requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy drainage. Since sensitivity lower highly metabolic active tissues (e.g., endocarditis, meningitis), scan suited detect these tissues.